LoneWolf

If Mr Mayalld can confirm if he was the chap from the manchester area taking on water in Mr Jinks that i met at Norwood top lock on 28 July I could enlighten you as to his level of consideration.

Yoda, your words of kindness, thanks for. It did make me laugh. I'm enjoying the learning tbh, I think my life before boating was somewhat lacking challanges. I didn't actually change the fuel filter, just shoved the old one straight back on still holding it in the plastic bag with only a small bit of fuel spilt. Engine was serviced just before i got the boat which helps; I'm learning to do things as they fall due. I'm near a good auto parts shop at the moment so I'll be getting fuel filters now for when the time comes I think.

Cheers Ken & ALbion, I'll have a look tomorrow when it's light. Thanks, that's a good site Ditchcrawler - have bookmarked it.

Just the seller i believe There are a couple of 'what are the costs' threads here that list all the other expenses; licence, insurance, BSS compliance costs etc Dont spend ALL your cash on the boat - make sure you have a contingency fund as well

Thanks all - now that i know what it's called I can research any maintenance required.... ... and see if there's a water trap to check

Exactly. and if I decide for whatever reason to go back to land, I wont think of it as having 'failed' in any way. Just that it's not the life for me after all. At least I wont get to my dotage with the regret of not ever trying it.

Today was my first ever oil change day. I know the square root of nowt about engines but thanks to copious amounts of research on here I’d been down the auto parts shop armed with a list of 3 different options for a part number for the filter. I eschewed all the oil in the shop, ignored the patronising tone of the chap who explained “C, D, E, F it goes like that, means it’s a higher grade so better” and explained that bore glaze was a problem in an under loaded boat engine with your high grades and none of your fancy new fangled additives either (I have no idea what all this means) Got some proper oil (API: C) from the boat place. Gloves, plastic bag all set. Checked manual picture, looked at engine located pump & filter, drained oil; all fine so far. Spent 30 minutes trying to get the filter to loosen trying various bodily placings contortions, grips & rubber gloves (I don’t have much grip with my left hand this week and have puny girl wrists anyway). Finally loosened it and got it in the plastic bag – hurrah! But hang on, it doesn’t look very dirty more of a reddish colour, and too thin – ARSE! I’ve just removed the fuel filter – what a spanner! Anyway all fixed now – the oil filter is hidden on the other side, under the engine in the dark corner where you can only ever see a bit of the end of it. And the thing I thought was the fuel filter (therefore making the one on the engine the oil filter) is… another fuel filter. Why do I have 2 fuel filters? Do I change them both at the same time interval as in the manual (600hrs) or what?

Yes - All easy ones Yes to most & probably to the rest. You could add - "can you cope with reading endless tedious discussions about oil to find out what sort to buy" ;-)

Interesting discussion. There's a lot of truth in the above. I've only been onboard for about 2 1/2 months now so probably still in the honeymoon period. I wouldn't say it was 'hard' as such (so far - but winter has yet to come!) but it's a steep learning curve. Everything takes a lot longer as I think it should - it took me all afternoon to change the oil & filter today. In the next 2 days I'll be fitting a new sf stove (test fire & investigation revealed the existing one cracked & falling appart - 4 week book at the boatyard) But I'm loving it.

You can also get Pearsons guides - the hire base may sell them (£9ish) which probably suit your needs better than Nicholsons (unless you have an interest in old churches). They'll show where the visitor moorings are & give a rough idea of travelling time as well as giving the usual pub reviews

Your post "Only wet if you are confident all your crew members can manoeuvre without. If they can't (and in case you haven't noticed the days of female crew working on true working boats have long gone) I prefer to give Jan all the help she may need." imples that females cant manouver without bow thrusters. Otherwise why make the comment in brackets. I dont see any 'spin' in WW's interpretation What did you mean by your comment?

Hi becki I'm assuming you mean the bilge(s) you can see when you look at the engine. I'd ask the owner where the water comes from & see what he says. It could be an indication of how well the boat has been looked after - if they know where it's coming from why haven't they fixed it? With a cruiser stern it will probably just be an indication of recent rain though. some boats have a 'wet bilge' which means the shower drains there (on purpose) & then the bilge pump gets rid of it. The bit under the cabin floor is also called the bilge but is usually (i think) seperated from the engine/stern bilge. Ask if there is an inspection hatch which will be a hole cut in the floor and then maybe 'hidden' in some way by eg putting a step on it. You can stick your arm in there and feel around to check for water in the other bilge. Not all boats have one though

ebay is a joke right? Another thought would be about your time constraints. You really dont want to be in a position where you have a 'be on board by' deadline which could affect any decisions you make.

NOOOOOOO! I went to see that boat in May, all the way to Bath - "fantastic boat" my arse. I'd agree with looking at second hand boats though

I'm mooching about there at the moment waiting to hear about work. What pub(s) were you thinking of & I'll go check em out.

Agree with this. You can figure things out as you go along once you're afloat. I'd advise to go and look at lots of boats, figure out what you think you need & then go look at lots more boats I'm heading (very slowly) up from London to Leeds single handed on my 1st boat (only previous boating knowledge from holidays) & I'm managing fine. you can pm me if you want to help me with heartbreak hill or them tricky bridges on the L&L that i've been warned about

How about one saying "Please do not park your wheelchair over this bollard while your friend takes a picture of you with that nice boat coming into the lock behind you"

Pawl? Is that what the safety ratchet thingy is called? Hurrah - another bit of boating terminology learned today. Thanks (I usually hold it up rather than flicking it all the way over as i wnd down)

AH I see. Well if my windlass clocks me one i shall toss it in the lock & buy a 'proper' one ;-)

I have a rotating handle windlass that came with the boat (well 3 actually but no crew alas) & like it just fine. I dont understand the justification for them being more dangerous - you don't need to change your grip as you wind like you do with the regular ones so you never have a period of 'less grip' which I would have thought makes them safer. Especially when winding down.

I use a metal tape measure as a dipstick - already calibrated innit and compact to store And log the number of hours cruised, but i've only filled up twice so far so have no idea how big the tank is

Hi Mick, I recognise your boat from the marina where mine was moored when i bought it. You seem to be a day behind me - I was a bit below Widewater on Friday night (where i was warned of/invited to the rave by 'concrete' tony) & just up from cassio bridge lock last night. You'll probably pass me in Berkhamsted where i'll be staying for a few nights. Give us a wave as you pass or come knocking if you fancy stopping for a beer. I'm on 'Innisfree' (blue & red) Blanche (not retired just ermm taking a year off)

thanks for the clarification wotever & RLWP